Casino News Archives - Page 12 of 16

Lightning Box appoints Mike Lally to aid further business growth

September 23, 2019 by Admin

Leading third-party slot content designer, Lightning Box, has appointed industry veteran, Mike Lally, to direct account management for the Australian developer’s online vertical.

In addition to its real-money gaming (RMG) casino clients, the London-based Lally will also oversee the studio’s growing commercial interests in North America.

According to a recent press release…

…prior to the appointment, Lally was responsible for launching 1,500 games with top industry brands over six years at UK-based sportsbook and gaming software company, OpenBet, before making a move to SG Digital subsidiary Betdigital to help advance its online business.

Other SG takeaway:

The current appointment coincides with the Sydney-based company’s promotion of Michael Maokhamphiou, another former employee of Scientific Games Corporation’s (SGMS) SG Digital division, to operations manager.

Chief Executive Officer and co-founder for Lightning Box, Peter Causley, said…

“We’re honoured to have someone of Mike Lally’s industry experience join our team given his excellent reputation for customer service and getting the job done.

“We’re equally blessed to be able to make Michael Maokhamphiou responsible for our product rollout and software implementation. He has been a tremendous addition to our team over the past six months and deserves this promotion. It’s an exciting time for Lightning Box and great news for our operator partners.”

For his part, Mike Lally added…

“I’m delighted to be joining the Lightning Box team, which has a great reputation in the industry for delivering high-quality and engaging games.

“I’m very much looking forward to renewing acquaintances with many of the key people with whom I’ve developed great relationships, as well as introducing myself to new ones as we continue to grow this very successful business.”

Live in New Jersey:

In a move that expanded its U.S. offering, the supplier recently announced that two of its most popular games have gone live in the regulated state of New Jersey for the first time in over three months.

The slot specialist’s popular Stellar Jackpots with Serengeti Lions and everyone’s favourite crimson marsupial, RedRoo, are the most recent titles to be added to the slots developer’s games portfolio available in the United States. Lightning Box has already gone live in the region with some choice titles including Respin Rhino, Astro Cat and the most recent addition, PandaPow.

Stellar Jackpots with Serengeti Lions and RedRoo are the developer’s first titles to release in the region since early April. The launches are in keeping with growing interest in its offering since it first premiered in New jersey‘s burgeoning online market in early this year.

GES’s Poker Jackpot and Management System debut at SkyCity Adelaide

September 18, 2019 by Admin

SkyCity Adelaide in New Zealand has recently received an installation of Gaming Entertainment Systems’ Poker Jackpot and Management Systems. The venue is the first customer to use the High Hand Bonus feature which awards a fixed prize for the highest poker hand achieved during specific time periods, additionally, a Royal Flush Jackpot has been introduced.

Simon Witty, GES’ managing director was enthused about the new development, “GES and SkyCity Adelaide have worked closely together to deliver an integrated poker management solution including jackpots, bonusing, cash game management, waitlist, and tournament functionality,” he said in an interview

When approached for comment, Ash Azad, SkyCity Adelaide’s general manager for table games, was just as energized, saying.“We are delighted to be able to enhance our poker product with unique features including a Royal Flush Jackpot and High Hand Bonus, both of which have proved very popular since launch. The GES system installation was flawless and their customer support has been outstanding,”

AzartMania.com and GoldenReels.com find themselves on the LCB.org blacklist

September 15, 2019 by Admin

Online casino enthusiasts are reportedly being warned against the Russia-facing domain at AzartMania.com after allegations of the use of counterfeit software by prominent games developers, Novomatic and Igrosoft surfaced.

LCB.org, an online casino news site, sent out the notice following an investigation, which was prompted by complaints from numerous players, and members of their own staff. The individuals questioned the authenticity of the load screens and in-game menus featured by several of the offending site’s video slots.

Glaring offences

In a report, LCB.org revealed that its investigation had unearthed evidence that the video slots from Novomatic and Igrosoft on display at AzartMania.com displayed ‘game load screens and in-game menus’ that diverged ‘wildly from the original titles.’ It further stated that this represented ‘a clear indicator that something of an extremely fishy nature is happening here’ and that the site has now been added to the online casinos blacklist.

The report from LCB.org detailed the actions taken following the investigation.

“We have proceeded with blacklisting this casino and letting providers know that they’re being damaged big time. We advise our players to look elsewhere for online casino entertainment. We will be monitoring the development of the AzartMania.com story closely and update you on any further findings.”

No Shortage of offenders

GoldenReels.com, another site marked for investigation by LCB.org, was added to a register of banned sites due to similar concerns involving real money pokie games from developers such as Novomatic, Microgaming, Yggdrasil Gaming Limited and Play‘n Go.

This inquiry was prompted after a representative from the offending online casino had used its Affiliate Guard Dog forum, to inaccurately claim that players in Australia could now access the domain in order to enjoy games from NetEnt AB.

‘Web of deceit’

LCB .org characterized the counterfeiting case as a ‘delicate web of deceit’ involving GoldenReels.com utilizing ‘two pirated servers filled with counterfeit games.’ The inquiry revealed that some of these titles ‘did not contain the usual jackpots some of the providers have’ while featuring ‘other symptoms of games that have not been obtained the fair way’ such as ‘unresponsive and strange-looking interfaces and loading screens.’

The report further stated,

“This sad instance of two-timing players is also under our magnifying glass and will be dealt with the utmost responsibility. Until further notice, all players are urged to avoid GoldenReels.com.”

Aristocrat and the reinvention of bar top play

September 12, 2019 by Admin

Aristocrat has announced the “reinvention of bar top play” hoping to wow the market with its Winners World Multi-Game bar top cabinet, currently available at an increasing number of locations across the US.

Innovative features are key in this product, which offers a unique bar top play experience. The best of stylish entertainment is on offer with Buffalo keno games, poker games and player-favourite slot games, including Buffalo, Buffalo Gold, and Wild Lepre’coins.

“While innovation abounds in every area of the casino, bar top play has been largely stagnant,” said Hector Fernandez, president of Aristocrat Americas. “Winners World Multi-Game offers a fresh take for our customers and we’re excited to bring player-favourite Aristocrat games to these venues for the first time.”

Winner’s World offers a complete bar top experience for players as well as operations and bar staff. The cabinet boasts the industry’s largest floating LCD tilted monitor at an astonishing 23.5ins. Players will also be pleased with the easy-access USB phone charger.

The monitor’s design includes a flip-top for fast and easy servicing; this compact design eliminates counter space intrusion while greatly reducing potential downtime. Finally, the cabinet is equipped with Aristocrat’s ”smart-drink” tracking light, allowing bartenders to reward players with ease.

“Winner’s World Multi-Game has been an instant fan favourite across Boyd Gaming destinations nationwide” said Mike Laubach, vice president of slot operations. “We look forward to bringing this new and improved bar top play to our players throughout our portfolio.”

Crown casino troubles result in Melco not buying James Packer’s shares

September 8, 2019 by Admin

Lawrence Ho, CEO of Melco resorts has backtracked on plans to purchase Crown casino shares; this decision was taken against the recent backdrop of the casino being subjected to a public investigation and scandal, over alleged illegal activities.

Ho, a prominent Hong Kong businessman was set to purchase James Packer’s shares of the crown casino, planning to expand his portfolio beyond the borders of his home country. The ongoing investigation seems to have soured his interest and Melco have put their plans on hold, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Melco have indicated that a total cancellation of the trade is also possible, should the investigation result in an unfavourable decision for Melco and Crown casino.

These revelations came to light on Wednesday and are just a small part of the fallout as a result of the investigation, led by a number of media companies within Australia. The investigation uncovered that Crown casino was involved with junket companies that are backed by Asian crime gangs and Chinese foreign influence agents. This triggered a secondary investigation by the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority.

While the investigation is ongoing, the gambling industry has been carrying on with business as normal. Demand for Australian casino games continues to grow, with the outlook for the industry at large, remaining healthy and positive. The investigation is, however, likely to have far-reaching effects, outside of Australia.

The sale of the shares came under particular scrutiny, due to the father of Melco’s owner, Stanley Ho, having alleged ties to Asian gangs, leading investigators to believe that the sale might be related to the illegal junket operations. Melco had agreed to the purchase of a stake that is worth around $1.7 billion, with the first 10 percent transfer happening before September 30th.

The current effects of the fallout

Melco Resorts has released a statement on the NASDAQ exchange. Here, they agreed with Consolidated Press Holdings’ suggestion to extend the possibility of the deal going through by another 60 days. CHP stated that they did not perceive any breach of an agreement or unlawful activities that Melco had been taking all the steps agreed on between the two entities. The does, however, contain clauses that could result in total cancellation of the deal.

Melco kept mum about the 10 percent that they had already purchased from Crown, in the face of an increasingly complicated matter.

Crown was granted a license to create their $2 billion casinos by 2021 in Sydney provided that they agree to list of individuals and casinos that they would be prohibited from working with. Stanley Ho and Melco were on this original list, which was made public recently. Included is a casino owned by Stanley Ho, that Crown casino has dealt with extensively.

The Great Respect Limited, another company linked to Mr. Ho, is a 20 percent owner of Melco International and has a controlling stake in Melco Resorts, which, the entity with a purchasing stake in Crown. The intertwined, shadowy nature of the situation between Crown and Melco, spells serious trouble for these companies.

The current inquiry seeks to expose exactly to what extent the company has managed to breach the terms of the agreement, beyond simply breaking the law. The investigation is open-ended, with no expected date of completion being set as yet

Melco and Crown had a previous partnership, which was canceled after 19 individuals of the Crown staff were arrested on gambling-related charges.

James packer will have to wait and see if he can offload his shares, as the current situation has the future of Crown and Melco in a state of suspense.

Major deal puts Crown Resorts operations at risk as regulators swoop in

September 4, 2019 by Admin

The gaming regulator for the eastern state of New South Wales is investigating possible license violations by local casino operator, Crown Resorts.

The sale of an almost 20% stake in its business to Asian counterpart Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited, has attracted the scrutiny of the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority. The transaction may constitute a ‘breach’ of the operator’s license or other regulatory covenants.

Sydney operation in jeopardy

AS reported by GGRAsia, the investigation, headed by former New South Wales Supreme Court Judge, Patricia Bergin could have devastating implications for the company. The judge will consider whether Crown Resorts Limited should be permitted to retain the state-issued casino license attached to their sprawling Crown Sydney facility. The facility is in the harborside Barangaroo district of central Sydney and is due to begin welcoming gamblers from 2021.

High stakes

Crown Resorts is currently already responsible for the Crown Perth venue in Western Australia as well as Victoria’s monolithic Crown Melbourne. In May, Crown made a bold move by signing off on a $1.2 billion deal whereby its largest shareholder, CPH Crown Holdings Proprietary Limited, offloaded a 19.9% stake in its business to Hong Kong-listed Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited.

Deal on hold

CPH Crown Holdings Proprietary Limited, under the control of controversial Australian billionaire businessman, James Packer, initiated this deal in June by selling just over 67.67 million of the shares it held in Crown Resorts Limited to Melco. This near 10% sell-off was due to be followed by a similarly-sized transaction before the end of next month.

In the face of the current situation, however, the buyer declared yesterday that it had postponed its acquisition as ‘to allow more time for the relevant Australian regulatory processes to be completed.’

Lawrence Ho Yau Lung, chairman and CEO of Melco, stated that his company was willing to participate in ‘in any probity review process and cooperate with any inquiry’ regarding its acquisition of the shares in Crown Resorts Limited.

Under the magnifying glass

The New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority have explained that the scope of their investigation goes beyond the legality of the deal itself. They are also seeking to determine whether Ho and his representatives are of ‘good repute’ in regards to their ‘character, honesty and integrity’ and whether they have connections with ‘any person, body or association who is not of good repute’ or ‘otherwise not suitable to be associated’ with the local gaming license held by Crown.

Impairment charges pummel Donaco International Limited amidst annual losses

September 1, 2019 by Admin

Impairment charges pummel Donaco International Limited amidst annual losses

Asian casino operator Donaco International Limited have found themselves in troubled waters.

Their recently released financial results for the twelve months to the end of June show an annual loss that widened by 55.8% year-on-year to hit nearly $130.88 million. The cause was $134.99 million in non-cash impairment charges.

A report obtained from GGRAsia, reveals that the Sydney-listed firm used an official filing to detail the impairment charges. These included a $125.86 million setback linked to the value of the casino license for its Star Vegas Resort and Club property. This followed an attempt by the owner of the Cambodian venue to terminate its 50-year lease. The matter currently remains the subject of litigation.

Profits through the floor

Despite the impairment penalties, Donaco’s underlying net profit after tax, for the twelve-month period had reached approximately $6.19 million. However, this represented a year-on-year decline of 49.7%.

Overall annual revenues had plummeted by 6.8% to hit approximately $58.21 million, while its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization were 30.2% lower at around $19.96 million.

Donaco cited rising competition in the Cambodian casino market as the cause of an overall annual reduction in revenues for its Star Vegas Resort and Club. The revenues fell by a little over 2.8% year-on-year to slightly above $43.64 million. The venue’s net gaming revenues also shrank by 9.9%.

To add to the firm’s woes, unfavourable junket deals, linked to previous management team members, had negatively impacted their facility located in the border town of Poipet. Donaco hopes that a process of renegotiating some of these arrangements will yield favourable results.

Seemingly defiant of the growing adversity at its doorstep, Donaco’s Star Vegas Resort and Club improved on the previous year’s visitor numbers. The venue recorded an impressive VIP turnover swell of 76% ‘due to the full-year impact of junkets brought in to replace those poached by the Thai vendor in the fiscal year 2018’ according to the report.

Bouncing back in Vietnam:

According to Donaco, “a weak start to the year’ at their gaming operation inside northern Vietnam’s Aristo International Hotel set their VIP business back 54%. This, in turn, led to an annual drop in 0/revenues by 16.6% year-on-year to around $14.57 million

Fortune shifted in the firm’s favour, with the enterprise recovering in the second half of the year as they posted a full-year win rate that was 0.18 percentage points higher than the previous twelve-month period at 2.09%.

Changing faces as heads roll:

GGRAsia further reported that Donaco subsequently used a second filing to report significant operational and management changes. The recent appointment of Paul Arbuckle as its new Chief Executive Office stands out as the most prominent. A desire for a ‘fresh start’ inspired the removal from its board in July of two founding members. Joey Lim Keong Yew and Ben Lim Keong Hoe, the grandsons of Genting Malaysia Berhad and founder Lim Goh Tong were obliged to vacate their posts for the sake of the organization’s future.

A humbling renewal:

In poignant fashion, Donaco International Limited used this presentation as a means to lay them bare. Reflecting on their most recent full-year results, they admitted that a ‘lack of effective management and leadership under [the] former executive team’ had lead to this catastrophic freefall in the company’s fortunes.

The firm was happy to share that the newly appointed senior leadership had made ‘an immediate positive impact’, with their July results from both operations showing significant improvement.

Suncity Group closing Australian junket operations

August 26, 2019 by Admin

According to reports, Suncity Group, the Asian junket firm, has elected to abandon the Australian casino market. This follows allegations that Chinese organized crime syndicates have been aided in illegal money laundering by VIP operations in Melbourne and Sydney.

Reports in an earlier story from The Age newspaper reveal this action to be linked to the start of inquiries by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) which concern the possibility of high-roller gambling lounges like Suncity Group (based in Macau) assisting in the facilitation of illegal actions such as money laundering.

As reported by GGRAsia the firm is responsible for VIP gaming lounges inside the giant Crown Melbourne. which is operated by The Star Entertainment Group Limited’s as well as the notable The Star Sydney Crown Resorts Limited. However, beginning with Sydney then followed by Melbourne, the company’s junket services for both of these are now ostensibly set to be closed down.

Market tumble

According to Chief Executive Officer for The Star, Matt Bekier, his firm’s most recent annual turnover from foreign high-rollers had dropped. And, the numbers are significant. The firm saw a 30.7% year-on-year to approximately $28.8 billion. He also explained that the Brisbane-based operator’s comparable international VIP revenues over had, the course of the same period of twelve months, declined by a considerable 16.7% to hit just above $397.1 million.

Bekier is reported to have said, “The fixed room of Suncity [Group] will be discontinued here. It had a small fixed room. That room is being closed.”

Investigation Underway:

It was amidst allegations that the business of Crown Resorts Limited was being used to illegally launder money by organized gangs that The ACIC inquiry was launched last month. Although not specifically mentioned, word about is that Suncity apparently went into overdrive following the emergence of claims that Alvin Chau Cheok Wa – the privately-held firm’s boss – had been refused entry to Australia.

Quick response

The Asian casino firm Suncity Group Holdings, for which Chau also acts as Chairperson, responded to the allegations of impropriety by stating that it was not being officially investigated. Moreover, the firm has been emphatic about the billionaire businessman not having any plans of traveling to Australia in the next twelve months.

Suncity Group Holdings Limited refutes rumours around Australian investigation

August 19, 2019 by Admin

Suncity Group Holdings Limited, the Asian casino firm, is reported to have released an official statement to deny claims recently made that it is being investigated by authorities in Australia. The inquiry is said to involve alleged links between Chinese crime syndicates and the operator’s controlling shareholder.

Possible Criminal Links

According to a report on Monday, the Hong Kong-listed firm’s name allegedly came up late last week as claims were being made that Australia’s ongoing Targeting Criminal Wealth investigation was investigating criminal gangs possibly using junket services in the country as a means of laundering money through casinos.

Admission Speculations

Reports by GGRAsia state that Alvin Chau Cheok Wa was a significant stakeholder in Suncity Group Holdings Limited while serving as the boss for privately-held Macau junket firm, Suncity Group. Investigators have yet to release any specifics about their alleged inquiries, but rumour has it they upped the ante on their efforts after claims surfaced that the billionaire businessman may have recently been refused entry to Australia.

Determined denial

Suncity Group Holdings Limited, in response to these whispers, which have since grown louder, stated on Monday that neither the company nor Chau were being investigated. In addition to this, it stated that that the billionaire wasn’t scheduled to travel to Australia in the next twelve months.

Suncity is reported to have said, “The board of Suncity Group Holdings Limited noticed certain media articles recently published in relation to Alvin Chau Cheok Wa in relation to, among others, investigation of certain Australian casinos. He is not aware of the said investigation of such Australian casinos. Mr. Chau clarifies that he is not subject to any Australian investigation as at the date of this announcement. The listed company would like to clarify that [Suncity Group Holdings Limited together with its subsidiaries] has no business operations in Australia.”

Melbourne link

The junket-operating Suncity Group is known, however, for running 14 high-roller clubs run via casinos in a number of jurisdictions. These include the Philippines, South Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Australia. This portfolio, according to local newspapers, encompasses a VIP lounge inside Crown Resorts Limited’s giant Crown Melbourne complex, which is currently under investigation for allegedly helping high-value Chinese individuals launder money in Australia.

Crown Casino Denies Ties to Organised Crime

August 14, 2019 by Admin

Allegations that tie Crown Casino to organized crime, money laundering, and human trafficking have been investigated in a television documentary produced by an Australian TV company and two newspapers.

Thousands of documents ostensibly leaked from the company owning casinos in the cities of Melbourne and Perth form the basis of the film’s investigation. A follow-up documentary is planned about the company’s alleged shenanigans in Sydney.

The film alleges shocking links between Crown and organized crime, claiming the company turned a “blind eye” to money laundering, as well as exploiting loopholes in Australia’s immigration processes. The film investigates allegations that the firm flew wealthy Chinese gamblers into the country without having them undergo the requisite checks. It is also claimed that Crown Casino had business ties to an Australian brothel, which is suspected to be involved in human trafficking.

Independent MP, Andrew Wilkie, said “I now know of three police officers — two currently serving — who have openly said to my staff that in Victoria, Crown is regarded as the Vatican, an independent sovereign state all to its own where the laws of Victoria, the laws of the Commonwealth (of Australia) do not apply”

These allegations have seen the state of Victoria order it’s gambling office to look into these claims against the casino giant “as a matter of priority.” Demands by experts in Australia that anti-money laundering regulator AUSTRAC examines claims that money has been passed through Crown Casino by criminals have also been made.

In a series of newspaper advertisements, the company has vehemently denied the allegations, saying it wanted to set the “record straight in the face of a deceitful campaign against Crown.” Crown, in turn, has leveled its own accusations at the filmmakers of the TV documentary, claiming that the film has unfairly attempted to damage its reputation. The company stated that takes its regulatory obligations extremely seriously.